Metropolitan Philip, primate of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, asked Father Duane Pederson, a highly experienced prison minister, to establish a prison ministry for the Archdiocese.
In 2005, His Eminence graciously offered the Archdiocese’s prison ministry to SCOBA. Shortly thereafter, OCPM was chartered by SCOBA as its official prison ministry.
The Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America eventually became the successor of SCOBA, holding their first meeting in February of 2010. Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry became an Agency of the Assembly where it continues now in working with all canonical jurisdictions to reach out to the men and women in prison across this country with the love and light of Christ.
Today’s OCPM continues to build on Father Duane’s vision of ministering to prisoners and their families by mobilizing the Church to work in this important vineyard of the Kingdom of Heaven
